A George IV Partridge Wood, Rosewood-Crossbanded, Boxwood and Ebony-Strung Cylinder Bureau, by William Wilkinson, 14 Ludgate Hill, London, 2nd quarter 19th century , the upper section with a three-quarter gallery above two small glazed doors enclosing a fabric-lined interior, the cylinder front enclosing a sliding writing surface with green and gilt leather skiver with ratchet support and two small drawers and pigeon holes, all above a frieze drawer stamped Wilkinson London Ludgate Hill , flanked by satinwood panels, on square tapering legs 57cm by 44cm by 123cm
William Wilkinson, 14 Ludgate Hill, London had formerly been a partner with Thomas Wilkinson at Brokers Row, Moorfields but the partnership broke up after 1807 and by 1808 William was trading on his own account at Ludgate Hill. In 1829 they were commissioned by the architect John Rennie to make a table which he presented to the Earl of Lonsdale at Lowther Castle and from 1833-1834 make furniture for the Goldsmiths Hall, London to the designs of the architect Philip Hardwick. The firm appear to have adopted a policy of stamping their products from a wide range of furniture in the Regency style. It has been noted that variations of stamps including "Wilkinson, Ludgate Hill", "Wilkinson & Sons, 14 Ludgate Hill" appear on various sofa tables, breakfast tables, extending dining tables and occasional furniture. See Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840 , pg.978